Coming Soon: Chapter 5, REPENT! Part II…

[For my brothers and Sisters who are beside themselves with what to do!]

Be patient, my brothers [and sisters], until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer awaits the precious yield of the soil. He looks forward to it patiently while the soil receives the winter and spring rains.

Notice how many times the Lord calls us to PATIENCE… He never says anything He doesn’t mean… AND He’s said this THREE TIMES… Must be important, no?

You, too, must be patient. Steady your hearts, because THE COMING OF THE LORD IS AT HAND.

We can’t lose heart! Vengeance belongs to our God (cf. Rom 12:19). Just remember, when it comes it will fall on the good as well as the bad. Is your heart in the right place? Have you made your peace with God in Confession and living your life desiring His holiness? If you answer ‘no’ to any of these, then get there, for the time is short!

Do not grumble against one another, my brothers [and sisters], lest you be condemned.

Case in point: “Judge not, that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the LOG that is in YOUR OWN EYE?…” (Mt 7: 1-3)

See! The judge stands at the gate. As your models in suffering hardships and in patience, brothers [and sisters] take the prophets who spoke in the name of the LORD. Those who have endured we call blessed.

You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and have seen what the Lord, Who is compassionate and MERCIFUL, did in the end.

The Word of the Lord … Thanks be to God!

I love it when those called to give warning to a sleeping world all seem to do so in unison, and at precise moments! God’s timing is PERFECT. From fellow blogger/warrior: Mark Mallett

First published on March 29th, 2012 with recent updates.

THE wind is blowing hard today, as it often does when I sense Our Blessed Mother compelling me to give a warning. We exchange tears, and when the moment is right, I sit down to repeat what I believe she has been saying over the past few days, weeks, and months in a word that has finally ripened…Read more!

Everyone of us will have to give an account of himself BEFORE GOD. Therefore we must no longer pass judgment on one another. INSTEAD you should resolve to [not put a] stumbling block or hindrance in your brother’s way.

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking,BUT OF JUSTICE, peace, and the joy that is given by the Holy Spirit.

Whoever serves Christ in this way PLEASES GOD and win the esteem of men. Let us, then MAKE IT OUR AIM to work for peace and to STRENGTHEN one another.

LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIAIn Our Day to continue for a little while longer…

Revelation 3: 7-13 (emphasis added)

When I read this passage I think of those spoken above who are called at this moment to be witnesses to the TRUTH, as well as those who are called to be the remnant few. Case in point:

Revelation 3:8b “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut…”

SITUATION: No matter how hard that son of perdition fights to intimidate and rid the parish of those faithful few who are CALLED to be witnesses, he cannot remove them. God has given them the “open door which no one [will] shut.”

For those who are called to ENDURE and be that Remnant Few (the “elect”, cf. Mt 24:22), who will instruct the world in the Gospel message of our Lord, Jesus Christ. God has placed before them an “open door which no one [will] shut.”

Many people around them will perish, but the remnant few – though they may have to SUFFER a little while (cf. 1Peter 1: 3-7) – they cannot be harmed (cf. 1Peter 5: 6-10).

Revelation 3: 10 “Because you have kept My word of patient endurance [cf. Rom 5: 3-5], I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.”

SITUATION & REMNANT: Revelation 3:8c“I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”

Revelation 3:9 “Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews [faithful Catholics]and are not, but lie–behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and learn that I have loved you.”

This truly applies to the parish I mentioned earlier and my heart weeps for its inhabitants who are asleep or so caught up in the present evil that they “know not what they do!” However, vindication will come to those faithful few who are there to SHOUT the TRUTH; and the rest will “see their nakedness and be in shame” (cf. Gen 3:7a and Rev 3:18b), for they followed the emperor who had no clothes of righteousness.

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguisethemselves as servants of righteousness. Their end WILL correspond to their deeds.” (2Cor 11: 14-15, emphasis added)

In closing, the GREATEST WORDs of ENCOURAGEMENT for those who are called tostand fast a little:

Revelation 3:11 “I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. He who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God; never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem which comes down from my God out of heaven, and My own new name [Faithful and True, see Rev 19:11]. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

BUT THERE’S MORE!Revealed TRUTH for those who have ears…

If you have the book, Barber makes an excellent reference to the use of “open” and “shut” doors on pp 72-73. It’s a brilliant reminder to whom the “keys of the Kingdom” belong, and why it is important that those who wish to remain faithful to Christ must also remain faithful to the teachings in FAITH and MORALS of His “keeper of the keys of the kingdom”, that is Peter and all his successors.

“But some may object [with], ‘Doesn’t obeying the Church mean giving up our freedom to think for ourselves?’ Not any more than learning the laws of aerodynamics constricts airplane designers from coming up with ‘creative’ ideas about flying. You can’t fly if you don’t know the laws of aerodynamics. So too, you cannot truly be free UNLESS YOU SEEK to know Jesus’ teachings, transmittedthroughTHE CHURCH .” (Barber, 73)

Or as I often say, “Apart from Rome, you’re on your own!”

“At last! We have arrived…”

LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEAContinuing in Our Day…

Revelation 3: 14-19 (emphasis added)

Revelation 3:15 “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.”

BRIEF RECAP…

The above passages, as I said in the last posting, very close to my heart. The first, Letter to the Church at Sardis, speaks directly to the afore mentioned Parish.

The second part of that passage speaks directly to those few remaining who have not “soiled their garments” and followed after the son of perdition.

Then the Letter to the Church in Philadelphia follows all with words of encouragement for those steadfast-few!

WE CONTINUE…

But now, the words spoken to the Church at Laodicea speaks again to the parishioners who are spiritually dying because of their lack of faith.

HEED THIS WARNING!

The Lord Jesus Himself has promised to “spew you out of [His] mouth”!

Revelation 3: 17 “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

Confirming what I have already said about those who follow the emperor with no clothes (of righteousness). Our little microcosm seems in many respects to be a mirror to the world at large, and especially in the U.S. Their shame will be great when their eyes are opened. Jesus even tells these people…

Revelation 3:18 “Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.”

Why does Jesus do this? Because again, God IS LOVE. He doesn’t desire our destruction but our SALVATION. If we will REPENT and RETURN to Him, then He will rain down upon us more Graces that we’ll know what to do with. He even states:

Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent.”

Jesus, I Trust in You!

His Mercy is DEEP and His forgiveness unfathomable. If we would return to Him, He will come to us in a way never before experienced. He says:

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.”

“Jesus looked at me and said, ‘Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion. I am giving them the last hope of salvation;… If they will not adore My Mercy, they will perish for all eternity… tell souls about this great Mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My Justice, is near.’”(Diary of St. Faustina, No. 965)

See also: 1Peter 1:6-9

REPENT! God is calling YOU to REPENT! If you do, the reward is PROMISED.

Revelation 3:21 “He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on my throne, as I Myself conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

For if we HOLD FAST to the TRUTH we WILL receive a CROWN of GLORY. We will forever be in His presence and before the Most High God! (cf. Rev 7:3)

In the Lord’s eyes, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are as a day.

The Lord does not delay in keeping His promise – though some consider it “delay.” Rather, He shows YOU generous patience , since He wants none to perish but all to come toREPENTANCE.

That call to REPENTANCE is again strongly encouraged so that “none may perish”, that is die the spiritual death. But DO NOT DELAY, for that door will close VERY SOON…

The DAY OF THE LORD will come like a thief, and on that day the heavens will vanish with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by FIRE, and the earth and all its deeds will be made manifest.

The vision will come to pass, a burnt out shell will be all that remains, and all the son of perdition’s deeds will be known far and wide. Those who were “taken in” will see their own folly and “nakedness”. Will they turn and repent, or will the too fall away from Christ and His Holy Catholic Church?

“Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers…”(CCC§675, beginning)

They are the microcosm of all that is on and coming upon the earth…

The Word of the Lord… Thanks be to God!

RESPONSORY: Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might!

“A little geography…”

NOW – IN JOHN’S DAY

Revelation 3: 15 “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.”

A Little Geography:

“Laodicea was located between Hierapolis and Colossae. Colossae was situated at the foot of the mountains and received cold, refreshing drinking water. Hierapolis, on the other hand, was the source of hot, mineral pools…used for healing baths. The water at Laodicea was neither hot or cold.” (Barber, 73-74)

Giving Jesus further reference and example as to the state of their church and why He would “spew [them] out of [His] mouth.” On top of that, apparently Laodicea was a wealthy city and well documented in imperial records.

In fact, when they suffered an earthquake, they refused government funds and rebuilt their city with their own resources, see footnote 42. Which is why Jesus also says of them:

Revelation 3:17 “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing…”

Revelation 3:17 continues…”not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

So Jesus gives them, and US as well, a THREE-FOLD remedy!

Revelation 3:18 “Therefore I counsel you to [1] buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, [2] and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, [3] and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.”

MEANING???

[1] “Buy from Me GOLD refined BY FIRE…” = Whenever Sacred Scripture has spoken about gold being refined by fire, the meaning addresses our SUFFERING and the PURIFICATION that comes from that suffering. Remember in the last chapter St. Paul talked about suffering and how it produces ENDURANCE which ultimately results in HOPE?

Well, in order to obtain that PURITY and HOPE, we MUST SUFFER “a little while” as the flames of persecution over take us. See also, Job 23:10; Mal 3:2-3; Zech 13:9; 1Peter 1: 6-9. (cf. Barber, 74 bottom)

[2] “white garments to clothe you and…keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen.” = An Old Testament reference that is often connected to sexual sins. The sexual sins of this day were the ones linked with the pagan worship found throughout the empire in the temples. See footnote 43 for more scriptural references found in the Old Testament.

“[The] ‘white garments’ that the Laodiceans are to receive from the Lord are the ‘righteous deeds of the saints’ ([cf.] Rev 19:8).” (Barber, 75)

[3]“…and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.” = If one cannot see they must be blind, no? And what would these people be blind of, do you think? They think themselves rich and self-sufficient, not needing anyone’s help… including Jesus and His Church? They’re obviously involved with the licentiousness connect with temple worship and need to repent… But if God is calling them to repent, would that suggest they might not think they have to anything to repent about?

“The charge of blindness is used in John’s Gospel to describe those who refuse to acknowledge guilt and repent ([cf.] Jn 9:39-41).” (Ibid)

The salve that Jesus provides will cure this spiritual blindness. Though, this wealthy city may not care. They were known for their eye salves, thanks in part to a rather “famous Laodicean medical school” It was “derived from a Phyrgian powder”, and probably sold throughout the region and maybe even the known world“. Yet, “the eye salve used by [the] Laodicean doctors is inadequate to cure spiritual blindness.” (Ibid)

That’s right! They must come before the King of Kings in abject humility and “acknowledge [their] weakness”and REPENT! So too must we…

A heart that does “just enough”…

WE’RE NO DIFFERENT

Today many are indifferent in the practice of their faith. It seems that they do, just enough to get by:

“I go to church on Sundays and dress respectably. I make confession at least once a year. I give to the collection. I try not to use bad language and teach my kids right from wrong. What else is there?”

“One thing YOU lack: go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and COME AND FOLLOW ME.” (Mt 10:21, emphasis added)

“Following Christ means more than simply stopping short of mortal sin, dangling your toes off the edge, and patting ourselves on the back for not yet falling off. Indeed, THAT PART OF PRIDE may be just enough to PUSH US OVER. We NEED to LOOK at the CROSS and remember that Jesus, the sinless One, innocent Son of God, gave everything He had IN LOVE, HOLDING NOTHING BACK. What do we give Him? Indeed, if we aren’t growing closer to Him, we ARE FALLING AWAY.” (Barber, 77, emphasis added)

Followers of Christ are not, and should not be lukewarm, but they should be PASSIONATE and ZEALOUS for the FAITH. This is why the warnings given above with the Church of Sardis are so prominent and URGENT. God’s judgment is upon us, why do we delay in returning to Him?!

Revelation 3:19“Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent.20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. 21 He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on my throne, as I myself conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne…

22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Coming Soon: Chapter 6, On Earth As It Is In Heaven, will publish on … TBA